Joeli Veitayaki

Not to be confused with Joeli Veitayaki Jr..

Joeli Veitayaki
BornJoeli Saroinicava Veitayaki
(1967-01-12)12 January 1967
Matuku, Fiji
Died21 October 2025(2025-10-21) (aged 58)
Whangarei, New Zealand
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight286 lb (130 kg; 20.4 st)
Notable relatives
Rugby union career
Position Prop
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1991–1993 Tihoi
1994–1996 Kio Kio United
1997–1998 Old Boys
2000–2001 Mid Northern
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2001–2003 Ulster
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1991–1996 King Country 64 (65)
1997–2001 Northland 35 (15)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996 Chiefs 11 (10)
1999 Blues 2 (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1994–2003 Fiji 49 (15)

Joeli Veitayaki (12 January 1967 – 21 October 2025) was a Fijian rugby union player. His usual position was Prop. He made his debut for Fiji against the New Zealand Maori in Christchurch on 4 June 1994. He played at the 1999 and 2003 Rugby World Cup. He had six daughters and two sons, Serah, Marilyn, Raijieli, Ruth, Talei, Analie, Manawa and Haereiti Veitayaki.[2]

His son Haereiti Hetet has also followed in his father's footsteps in playing for the Flying Fijians at prop.[2]

Veitayaki played for the Blues and Northland. He made his Super Rugby debut for the Blues against the Sharks in 1999. He also had a stint with Irish club Ulster.[3] Veitayaki had undergone a kidney transplant in January 2025 at the Auckland City Hospital.[4]

Veitayaki died on 21 October 2025, at the age of 58.[5]

References

  1. ^ Mou, Freddy (24 July 2015). "Flying Fijians ready for tough Pacific battle". Loop Samoa. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Who are Joeli Veitayaki's family members? Personal life of Rugby star who passed away at age 58". The Times of India. 22 October 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Player Profiles : Ulster Rugby 1st XV Joeli Veitayaki". Ulster Rugby. 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ^ Veitayaki, Joe. "Veitayaki undergoes a kidney transplant". Facebook. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  5. ^ "Former Fiji rugby captain, Super Rugby and Northland NPC player Joeli Veitayaki dies unexpectedly". New Zealand Herald. 22 October 2025.
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